Home hardening and defensible space can reduce wildfire risk, and the work may be worth checking for potential insurance savings

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Homeowners who have invested time and money to make their properties more resistant to wildfire may have another reason to feel good about the work they’ve done: They may qualify for savings on their homeowners insurance.

Mercury Insurance (NYSE/NYSE TX: MCY) encourages homeowners to review the wildfire mitigation improvements they’ve made and talk with their insurance agent about discounts that may be available to them. Mercury offers wildfire mitigation discounts for qualifying homeowners in multiple states where it writes homeowners insurance, although availability, eligibility requirements and savings vary by state, property and policy.

“Homeowners put real time, effort and money into making their properties safer, and they should make sure those improvements are being recognized,” said Holly Sacks, Director of Portfolio Underwriting and CAT Management at Mercury Insurance. “If you’ve cleared vegetation, hardened your home or made other wildfire-resilience improvements, talk with your agent. Depending on where you live and the work you’ve completed, you may qualify for insurance savings while also helping make your home more resilient.”

Wildfire mitigation is increasingly important well beyond the areas traditionally associated with major wildfires. Mercury offers homeowners insurance in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, and wildfire mitigation discounts may be available to qualifying policyholders depending on the state and property.

Start with the Space Closest to the Home

Wildfire research has demonstrated the importance of addressing the area immediately surrounding a structure. Homeowners can remove dead vegetation, leaves, pine needles and other combustible material and consider using noncombustible materials such as gravel, pavers or concrete immediately adjacent to the home.

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) identifies the first five feet surrounding a home as particularly important because wind-driven embers can collect and ignite combustible materials in this area.

Reduce the Ways Embers Can Get Inside

Wind-driven embers can travel significant distances ahead of a wildfire and enter homes through vulnerable vents and openings.

Homeowners can consider flame- and ember-resistant vents and inspect exterior openings that could allow embers to enter attics, crawlspaces or other parts of the structure. Keeping roofs and gutters clear of leaves, pine needles and other combustible debris can also reduce potential ignition points.

Look at the Home Itself

The materials used on and around a home can influence its ability to withstand wildfire exposure. Depending on the property, improvements may include fire-resistant roofing and siding, enclosed eaves, upgraded windows, modifications to decks and changes to combustible fencing attached to the home.

“Wildfire mitigation doesn’t have to involve rebuilding a home,” Sacks said. “Homeowners can start by addressing the most vulnerable areas around the structure. Mitigation is an ongoing process, so it’s important to make improvements over time and document the work completed.”

Don’t Forget the Neighborhood

Wildfire resilience doesn’t stop at the property line. Community-level mitigation programs can help reduce risk across an entire neighborhood, and participation in qualifying community mitigation efforts may also be considered for certain insurance discounts.

Programs such as Firewise USA® encourage neighbors to work together to identify wildfire risks and take coordinated steps to reduce them.

Already Did the Work? Make Sure Your Agent Knows

Homeowners who have already completed wildfire mitigation improvements shouldn’t assume their insurance company automatically knows about them.

Mercury recommends photographing improvements, keeping receipts and other documentation for major upgrades and reviewing completed work with an insurance agent. Documentation requirements vary, and some discounts may require photographs, certifications, inspections or other verification.

In California, for example, qualifying Mercury customers may receive discounts based on measures such as defensible space, home hardening, IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home® certification, qualifying community mitigation and certain types of fire-resistive construction. Depending on the qualifying measures and property, discounts may apply to the wildfire-peril portion of the homeowners premium.

Mercury’s enhanced homeowners product in Oklahoma also provides potential wildfire mitigation savings for qualifying property-level and community-level mitigation as well as certain fire-resistive construction. Qualifying property-level mitigation may result in a discount of up to 30% on the wildfire-peril portion of the premium.

These percentages do not represent a discount on the policy’s total premium.

The simplest place for homeowners to start is by asking their agent a few questions:

• What wildfire mitigation discounts may be available where I live?
• Do any improvements I’ve already made qualify?
• What documentation is required?
• Are there additional improvements that may qualify my property for savings?
• Am I currently receiving all discounts for which my property qualifies?

“Protecting your home should be the first priority, but the work may also have financial benefits,” Sacks said. “If you’ve taken steps to reduce your wildfire risk, talk with your agent. You may find that making your home safer can also help you save on insurance.”

For more information about homeowners insurance and wildfire preparedness, visit MercuryInsurance.com.

Important Discount Information

Wildfire mitigation discounts are subject to eligibility requirements and are not available to all policyholders or properties. Discount availability, qualification requirements and amounts vary by state, property characteristics, policy and mitigation measures completed. Some discounts apply only to the wildfire-peril or other specified portion of the homeowners insurance premium and not to the total policy premium. Completion of a mitigation measure does not guarantee eligibility for a discount, insurance coverage, renewal or a specific premium. Documentation, inspection, certification or other verification may be required. Policy terms, underwriting requirements and applicable state rules apply. Homeowners should contact a Mercury Insurance agent for information about discounts that may be available for their specific property and policy.

For information about Mercury Insurance Discounts, visit the Mercury Insurance Resource Center.

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance (NYSE/NYSE TX: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners, renters and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury writes other lines of insurance in various states, including commercial, business owners and business auto, landlord, home-sharing, ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance.

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through more than 4,200 employees and a network of more than 6,340 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an “A” rating from A.M. Best, as well as “Best Auto Insurance Company” designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

Media interested in receiving updates from Mercury can learn more at the Mercury Newsroom.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercury-insurance-helps-homeowners-make-the-most-of-wildfire-mitigation-discounts-302868557.html

SOURCE Mercury Insurance